OCZ Vertex 4 SSD Revisited: 128GB and New Firmware

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Our Summary and Conclusion

Performance Summary:To put it succinctly, the 128GB Vertex 4 delivered somewhat of a mixed bag of performance results. In some tests it bested the field, while in others it couldn't keep pace. Like the previous Vertex 4s, the 128GB version didn’t do very well in SANDRA, a couple of the HD Tune tests, or the ATTO write test, but it shined like a jewel in most of the CrystalDiskMark tests and the Default IOMeter test, while it held its own in PCMark 7. Then again, PCMark is a better indicator of real world desktop performance versus the former synthetic tests.

We also noticed that the percentage difference in the drive’s read and write performance compared to the other SSDs we tested (or specifically to the other Vertex 4s) often varied greatly. For example, in a given benchmark test, the Vertex 4 would hit a particularly strong read score and notably weak write score. This is especially apparent in the ATTO and CrystalDiskMark tests.

The 128GB OCZ Vertex 4

The 128GB Vertex 4 enjoys the same strong performance in certain areas that the 256GB and 512GB Vertex 4s did, and the weakness in sequential reads has apparently been resolved with the firmware updates over the last couple of months. Write speeds, however, seem comparably soft. The bottom line is that the 128GB Vertex 4 will deliver strong performance, and it will be better in some areas than versus competitive SSDs and weaker in others.

Of course, when it comes right down to it, you have to talk price-for-performance. As you can see from the street prices we dug up, the 128GB Vertex 4 offers the best cost-per-GiB in the list (with the 256GB version a penny behind), and it can be yours for $99.99, which is almost nothing these days; if you drive a pickup truck or SUV, that might be less than the cost of a tank of gas.

However, if you’re looking the best value for performance, the 256GB Vertex 4 might be your best bet. With updated firmware, it will perform better than the 128GB version, and it costs almost the same per GiB.

Regardless, considering that the 128GB Vertex 4 delivers the performance it does (a few weak synthetic scores notwithstanding) and costs so little, this drive is a great deal. Remember also that OCZ offers an impressively lengthy 5-year warranty on these drives as well, so they're standing firmly behind the product.